Terminal



Nov. 5, 1963 J, s, COONEY 3,109,689

TERMINAL Filed June 17, 1959 80 84 fn ven tar,

78 76. James S. C00 v @mmassembly, taken in the direction of sight lines United States Patent O assignor to Pylon a corporation of This invention relates to electrical connectors, and in particular to electrical connectors useful in making connections to printed circuits and electroluminescent panels.

Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision of a simple electrical connector which is adapted lfor ready assembly with a printed circuit panel, or an electrolnminescent panel; the provision of an electrical connector which is mounted on such a panel by insertion in a hole provided therein, the insertion being a simple pushing operation; the provision of an electrical connector of the above classes which provides a resilientlybiased connection, and which, during the mounting operation, provides a wiping action which cleans the contacting surfaces; the provision of an electrical connector which is adaptable to be made on auto-maticmachinery, and which can be made very economically in many sizes; and the provision of an electrical connector which is self-adjusting in size to some extent so as to fit in holes which may be cut of tolerance. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprisesthe elements and combinations of elements, features of construction, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope of the application oi which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompany-ing drawings, in which several of various possible embodiments of the invention are illustrated:

FIG. l is a pian view of one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view, partly in section, of the FIG. 1 embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one of the elements entering into the FIG. 1 embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a side view, cross-sectioned in part, showing an assembly using the FIG. l embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section of a portion of the FIG. 4 5-5 thereon;

FIG. 6 is a cross-section of a portion of a plan view similar to FIG. 5 but showing another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a side -view of the invention.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings, and certain dimensions are deliberately shown out of proportion toA other dimensions for the purpose of clarity and correct presentation of shading detail leading to greater understanding of the invention.

In the manufacture of complex electronic devices where printed circuits are used, and in other devices of electrical nature (such as electro-luminescent panels) where it is diiiicult to fabricate soldered connections, it is often necessary to make electrical connections in a very fast and economical way, with the further requirement that the connection so made be a `good one. Such a necessity arises, for example, in the mass production oi printed circuit electronic devices, and in the mass production of not only electroluminescent panels but also such devices as photoelectric cells and light meters.

It is the general purpose of this invention to provide yet another embodiment of 3,109,689 Patented Nov. 5, 1963 ICC an electrical connector which is capable of being used in rapid mass production and which furnishes a good electrical connection to the particular electrical circuit or panel, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a bushing 2 made of electrically insulating which is resiliently deformable. Such a material should be moldable on conventional Amolding presses, and as examples thereof may be mentioned nylon and polyvinyl chloride and similar moldable plastics. The material should not be too resilient.

`In the FIG. 1 yembodiment two holes 4 and 6 are profvided which extend in parallel fashion longitudinally through the bushing. Each of holes 4 and 6 is, in this instance, rectangular in cross-section.

Received in holes 4 and 6 and passing therethrough are the elongated members indicated generally by numerais 8 and 10. Each of members 8 and 10 comprises the shank portion, 12 and 14 respectively, and the springbow portion, 16 and 18 respectively. Spring-bow portions 16 and 1S are joined to their respective shank portions 12 and 14 at one end o the bushing as shown in FIG. 2, while the other ends of the shank portion extend beyond Ithe other end of the bushing as shown.

Illustrated in FIG. 3 is one of said elongated members, 10 lfor example, wherein the pictorial presentation illustrates clearly the peculiar shape of these members. It will be noted that the spring-bow portion 18 iirst extends outwardly of the shank portion 12 at an angle thereto,

and thereafter extends in bowed coniiguraton lfurther outwardly and backwardly. It will also be noted (see 'both FIGS. l and 3) portion decreases so that it is narrower at its tree end than it is at the end where it joints its respective shank portion. Furthermore, one or more tabs or spurs 2t) and 22 are provided on the shank portions 12 and 14.

The purpose of giving yeach spring bow portion its tapered form is to equalize the tion when the connector is used. Such equalization of stresses could, oi course, be obtained by maintaining the width constant and decreasing the thickness progressively from one end of the bowed portion to the other. The form shown is, however, to be desired for ease of manufacture.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the elongated members are positioned by the bushing so that the bowed portions extend away from each other. In this instance, the angle of separation is -|180. However, with proper size of bushing, the members could be positioned so that the bowed portions 16 and 18 are less than 180' apart.

The tabs or spurs 20 and 22 serve to bear against the end 24 of the bushing, thus serving to lock (in conjunction with the angled connection of the spring-bow portions Iwith the shank portion) the shank portions in the bushing.

Holes 26 and 28 may be provided, shank portions to facilitate soldering wires thereto. Also, if desired, the outer edge of the top` of each of the hoies in the bushing is rounded, as shown at 30' and 32, to fit nicely into the rounded junction of the spring-bow portions with the shank portions) the shank portions in the A desirable feature of the invention will now be described. As shown in the FIGS. 143 embodiment, the members `8 and 10 are` rectangular in :cross-section, and the width oi' the shank portions in each case is approximately equal to the width of the respective bushing hoie receiving the shank portion. However, it is to be noted that the thickness of the shank is less than the cross-sectional depth of the hole. That is, an internal space or will now be explained in conthat the width of the spring-bow stresses in the bowed porif desired, in the 7 embodiment is used junction with the showing of a use for the thus described electrical connector.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a plate 34 to which it lis desired to make an electrical connection. In this instance plate 34 -is shown las having the two layers 36 and 38, layer 13'6 being a ibase plate of conductive material such as copper or steel, and layer 38 .being an electroluminescent material. A third layer 46D of silver, yfor example, is deposited on a portion of layer 38 to which connection lis to be made. A hole 42 is provided in plate 34 as shown, this hole having the same cross-sectional shape as the bushing 2, but being smaller in size. To attach the connector to the plate, bushing 2 is inserted in the hole 42, this being possible because of resilient deformability of the bushing. Tworthings are now to be observed: iirsthe ffact that the holes 4- and 6 in the bushing are larger in cross-section than the shank portions therein, permits the wall portions of the bushing to be deformed inwardly into the aforesaid voids, thus making for an easier insertion; and second, the exposed end 44 (see'FIG. V4)V of the bushing expandssomewhat, serving to anchor the bushing in place. That this anchoring is necessary may tbe gleaned from the fact that when thus inserted, the spring-bow portions y16 and 13 are strained to the configurations show-n in FIG. 4. vThat is, each spring-'bow 16 engages silver `deposit 40l to make electrical connection therewith land'thus with layer 3:8, Iwhile the end of springbow portion 1S makes resilient electrical contact with base plate 36 at a spot 46 from which has been removed the layer 38. After insertion, shank portions d2 and i4 are bent away from each other, if desired, and to each is soldered or otherwise electrically connected the lead wires 50 and 52.

Certain details appear in the vdrawings which are worthy of note, as follows: theentering edge of hole 42 is chamfered as shown at 54 to permit easier entrance of the bushing in the hole. The leading end 24 of the bushing is ohamfered, as shown at 56, for the same purpose. The outer ends of the'spring-bowportions are upturned, as indicated lby numerals 58 and 6d, to permit easier sliding of these ends during insertion. Y

The ibushing of the foregoing embodiment has been shown as being substantially square in cross-section. However, the bushing can 'be other shapes, as desired. For example, in FIG. 6 there is shown (in cross-section) a bushing `62 having a hexagonal cross-section inserted in a hole l64 vof the sameshape. Elongated connecting members `66 and 68 are exactly like, in all respects, elongated members 8 and 10.- Again, as in the FlG. 4 view, the leading edge of the mounting hole l'64 is chamfered as shown at 70. Y l

If desired, a bushing of circular, or triangular, shapes may be utilized, ibut the adaptation of these to plates is within mechanical skill in view of the above exposition, and therefore such other shapes are not herein illustrated.

Finally, there is shown in FIG. 7 another embodiment, which diifers from the FIGS. 1-3 embodiment in that only one elongated connecting member 72 is shown mounted in the bushing 74.l Member 72 is the same as either and 78, the shank and the upturned respectively, with member 8 or 1t), has the spurs or tabs 76 portion 86, the spring-bow portion 82, end 84, all :corresponding exactly and tabs or spurs 20 and 22, shank portion 14, spring bow i portion 1x8, and upturned end y60'. A

provided in bushing '74fwhich receives the shank portion 80 exactly asis received portion 14 inhole 6. TheV FIG. where a single connection need be made to a plate, and insertion in a plate is exactly as for the FIGS. 1 3 embodiment (as shown in FIG. 4).

In view of the abo-ve, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved geous results attained.

. As many changes could be maderin the Vabove constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intendedrthat Yall matter contained in the single hole '86v is and other advanta- Y above description, or shown in the accompanying drawings, shall be interpreted ing sense.

I claim:

1. An electrical connector comprising a bushing of res-iliently deformable electrically insulating material, said bushing being provided with a shoulder'at one end thereof and Iat least one hole, rectangular in cross-section, extending longitudinally through said bushing; and an elongated spring member extending all the way through said hole, said spring member being rectangular in cross-section and comprising a shank portion and a spring-bow portion; said shank portion extending through the bushing in said hole and beyond -the other end of the bushing; said spring-bow portion being joined as illustrative and not in a limitto said shank portion near said one end and overlying the outer face of said shoulder to permit spring motion of said spring-bow portion away from said outer face, said spning-bow portion extending transversely away from said bushing beyond said shoulder and having a por-tion thereof bowed :toward ythe end of said bushing remote from said shoulder; an outwardly extending tab or spur on said shank portion where it emerges from said other end,- said tab or spur engaging said other end thereby to lock said bushing on said shank; and said spring-bow portion being narrower. at its free end than it is where it joins said shank portion.

2. An electrical connector comprising a body formed of electrically insulating material, said body having an elongated portion and a 'transversely extending flange at one end thereof, said elongated portion being formed of resilientiy deformable material; said body having atA leastrone open-ended longitudinally extending aperture; an electrically conductive member disposed in said aperture and including a iirst portion extending exteriorly of said elongated portion and adapted for connection to a source of electrical current; said conductive member also including a second portion extending exteriorly of said ilange,esaid second portion comprising a spring member of electrically conductive material overlying with said support member with the free end of said spring member in resilient pressure engagement with the face of said support member.

3. An electrical connector an opening in a panel, comprising a bushing of elec-V trically insulating material provided lwith at least one hole extending therethrough, said bushing having 'a Vshoul-V der thereonadjacent one end thereof, and an elongated member of electrically conducting spring metal extending all the way axially through said hole, said elongated member having a shank portion and a spring-bow portion joined together, said shank portion passing through said hole andv extending beyond the bushing at the end thereof remote from said shoulder, said shank portion being smaller in cross-section Ithan the cross-sectional size of said hole-thereby providing interior space insaid bushing into which thermaterial ofthe bushing may Vdeform when said bushing is inserted in a said ing which is Vsmaller than said bushing, portion joining shank portion adjacent said one panel openend of theV bushing and overlying the outer face of said spring motion-of said spring-bow :and having aportion thereof bent toward the end of said bushing remote from said shoulder.

adapted to b e inserted in i said spring-bow n said spring-bow porition extending transverselyawayfrom said bushingbe- 4. An electrical co-nnector adapted to be inserted in an `opening in a panel, comprising a bushing of electrically insulating, resilientlyr deformable moldable plastic provided with Iat least one hole extending therethrough, said bushing having a shoulder thereon adjacent one end thereof, and an elongated member of electrically conducting spring metal extending all the way axially through said hole, said elongated member having a shank portion and a spring-bow portion joined together, said shank portion passing through said hole and extending beyond the bushing at the end thereof remote from said shoulder, said hole being larger in cross-section than said shank portion in cross-section whereby an internal space is provided into Vwhich the material of said bushing may be deformed when said bushing is inserted into a said panel opening which is smaller than said bushing, said spring-bow portion joining said shank portion adjacent said one end of Ithe bushing and overlying the outer face of said shoulder to permit spring motion of said spring-bow portion away from said outer face, said spring-bow portion extending transversely away from said bushing beyond said shoulder and having a portion thereof bent toward the end of said bushing remote from said shoulder.

5. An electrical connector adapted to be inserted in an opening in a panel, comprising a bushing of electrically insulating material provided with :at least one hole extending therethrough, said bushing having a shoulder thereon adjacent one end thereof, 'and an elongated strip of electrically conducting spring metal extending all the way axially through said hole, said strip being wider than it is thick and having a shank portion and a spring-bow portion joined together, said shank portion passing through said hole and extending beyond the bushing at the end thereof remote from said shoulder, said spring-bow portion joining said shank portion adjacent said one end of the bushing and overlying the outer face of said shoulder to permit spring motion of said spring-bow portion away from said outer face, said spring-bow portion extending transversely away from said bushing beyond said shoulder and having a por-tion thereof bent toward the end of said bushing remote from said shoulder, and said spring-bow portion progressively narrowing from its point of juncture with said shank portion to its free end.

6. An electrical connector adapted to be inserted in an opening in a panel, comprising a bushing of electrically insulating material provided with two holes extending in parallel relationship longitudinally therethrough, said bushing having a shoulder thereon adjacent one end thereof, and two elongated strips of electrically conducting spring metal each of which extends all the way axially through `one of said holes, each of said elongated strips being wider than it is thick and having a shank portion and a spring-bow portion joined together, the shank portion of each of said strips passing through its respective hole and extending beyond the bushing at the end thereof remote from said shoulder, each spring-bow portion joining its respective shank portion :adjacent said one end of said bushing and progressively narrowing from its point of juncture ywith its respective shank portion to its free end, each spring-bow portion overlying the outer face of said shoulder to permit spring motion of said spring-bow portion away from said outer face, and each spring bow portion extending transversely away from said bushing beyond said shoulder from the other spring-bow portion and having a part thereof bent toward the end of said bushing remote from said shoulder.

7. An electrical connector adapted to be inserted in an opening in a panel, comprising a bushing of electrically insulating, resiliently deformable moldable plastic provided with two holes extending in parallel relationship longitudinally therethrough, said bushing having a shoulder thereon adjacent one end thereof, land two elongated members of electrically conducting spring metal each of which extends all the way axially through one of said holes, each of said elongated members having a shank portion and 'a spring-bow portion joined together, the shank portion of each of said members passing through its respective hole and extending beyond the bushing at the end thereof remote from said shoulder, each of said holes being larger in cross-section than the cross-section of the shank portion passing therethrough whereby an internal space is provided into which the material of said bushing may be deformed when said bushing is inserted in a said panel opening which is smaller than said bushing, each `spring-bow portion joining its respective shank portion adjacent said one end of said bushing and overlying the outer face of said shoulder to permit spring motion of said spring-bow portion away from said outer face and each spring-bow portion extending transversely away from said bushing beyond said shoulder from the other springbow portion and having a part thereof bent toward the end of said bushing remote from said shoulder.

8. An electrical connector adapted to be inserted in an opening in a panel, comprising a bushing of' electrically insulating, resiliently deformable moldable plastic provided with two holes extending in parallel relationship longitudinally therethrough, said bushing having a shoulder thereon adjacent one end thereof, and two elongated strips of spring metal each of which extends all the way axially through one of the -holes and is wider than it is thick, each of said elongated members having a shank portion and a spring-bow portion joined together, each of said holes being rectangular in cross-section the cross-sectional length of two of the walls thereof being substantially equal to the width of said shank portion and the cross-sectional length of the other two walls thereof being greater than the thickness of said shank portion, the shank portion of each of said members passing through its respective hole and extending beyond the bushing at the end thereof remote from said shoulder, each spring-bow portion joining its respective `shank` portion adjacent said one end of said bushing and overlying the outer face of `said shoulder to permit spring motion of said spring-bow portion away from said outer face, and each spring-bow portion extending transversely away from said bushing beyond said shoulder from the other spring-bow portion and having a part thereof bent toward the end of said bushing remote from said shoulder.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,441,907 Schmitt May 18, 1948 2,717,367 Euerner lune 4, 1957 2,793,351 Heath May 21, 1957 2,794,962 Donato lune 4, 1957 2,884,609 Fraser et al Apr. 28, 1959 2,886,681 Bourns et al May 12, 1959 2,931,006 Klurnpp Mar. 29, 1960 2,953,769 Woofter et al Sept. 20, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,193,149 France Apr. 27, 1959 

2. AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR COMPRISING A BODY FORMED OF ELECTRICALLY INSULATING MATERIAL, SAID BODY HAVING AN ELONGATED PORTION AND A TRANSVERSELY EXTENDING FLANGE AT ONE END THEREOF, SAID ELONGATED PORTION BEING FORMED OF RESILIENTLY DEFORMABLE MATERIAL; SAID BODY HAVING AT LEAST ONE OPEN-ENDED LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING APERTURE; AN ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE MEMBER DISPOSED IN SAID APERTURE AND INCLUDING A FIRST PORTION EXTENDING EXTERIORLY OF SAID ELONGATED PORTION AND ADAPTED FOR CONNECTION TO A SOURCE OF ELECTRICAL CURRENT; SAID CONDUCTIVE MEMBER ALSO INCLUDING A SECOND PORTION EXTENDING EXTERIORLY OF SAID FLANGE, SAID SECOND PORTION COMPRISING A SPRING MEMBER OF ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL OVERLYING SAID FLANGE AND EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY BEYOND SAID FLANGE, THE FREE END OF SAID SPRING MEMBER OCCUPYING A PORTION BELOW THE OUTER FACE OF SAID FLANGE AND BEING SPRING BIASED TO SAID POSITION; SAID CONNECTOR BEING ADAPTED TO BE RECEIVED IN AN APERTURE IN A SUPPORT MEMBER SMALLER IN CROSS-SECTION THAN THE CROSS-SECTION OF SAID BODY WHEREBY, WHEN THE LATTER IS POSITIONED IN SAID APERTURE, IT IS RETAINED IN RESILIENT PRESSURE ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID SUPPORT MEMBER WITH THE FREE END OF SAID SPRING MEMBER IN RESILIENT PRESSURE ENGAGEMENT WITH THE FACE OF SAID SUPPORT MEMBER. 